New (to me) vehicle suggestions?
 

Hey RS!

Been a long time lurker/admirer of some of your vehicles that you post about on here.

I am on the hunt for my next vehicle, and was hoping some of you may be able to gently nudge me in one direction or another... I know I love convincing people to buy vehicles :lol.

I am essentially looking to add a summer time vehicle to the family that I can daily to and from work but take to autocross/track days on the weekend :buttrock:. Need to be able to fit my dog in the back (seat or hatch), having room for car seats would be a bonus as I'll likely start having kids over the next few years, and if I can sell the car as a long term purchase... the wife won't be so upset if I spend more :lol

Some must haves: 4+ seats, excellent handling, decent acceleration, good aftermarket support, reliability, LHD, manual, somewhat decent fuel economy (4 cyl +/- turbo/supercharged, or v6. trying to avoid the north american v8s).

Some cars I've considered: Civic SiR (I like the ep3 the best), miata (doesnt meet my seat requirment), Acura RSX type S (might be beat up at my price point), Taurus SHO (above my price range... but would be an excellent long term family car...).

Budget is preferably 4K, maybe 6K... I can do all minor and some major work to car myself.

Tell me what you'd buy!

Thanks!

Too tall an order given your $4 - 6k limit. The only cars I can think of that can fit most of your requirements are various kinds of Civics (EK, EP3, or even some versions of 8th gen Civic) and *maybe* RSX / RSX-S.

RSX-S or 8th gen civic si

Toyota Matrix? The 1st gen is basically a 7th gen Celica underneath, but with a wagon body. Cheap to buy and maintain, easy on gas, has both types of child seat anchors so great long-term use if you're going to have a family. If you want more jam try to hunt down a TRD supercharger kit.

Before having a kid I thought a child seat in a coupe was still doable, now that I have one I know there's no way I could fandangle that thing into the back seat of a 2 door sports car. If you really want to keep it long-term get 4 doors.

Buy my fucking Maserati.

Honda Fit

BB6 Prelude? Pretty underrated cars imo

Mk3 /4 golf or Jetta?

whatever car you get, make sure it haz turbo

G35?
Not the most fuel efficient, but for 300hp out the box they're definitely no worse than expected.
Probably not the greatest for kids seats either, but i can't imagine they're any worse than rsx or ep3. Could be wrong tho

:accepted:

Thanks for all the recomendations!

As for the maserati, if you are coming in under 6k let's talk. :lol

Matrix... something I hadn't considered... one guy goes to our track days with an ?xrs, is that the supercharged version? I'll have to look into that.

If I am looking shorter term (talking two doors and less money) why not an older somewhat built civic? The ep3 REALLY appeals to me, but I have heard they are somewhat tame without the RSX K swap?

Not sure I'm ready for a honda fit... seems very much an attempt at a tame commuter, I wanna put a smile on my face coming into the corners... change my mind?

If I could find the right RSX S I would likely have to scoop it up... if in my price range. But what about other acuras? The early TSX had the same K20 in it... comparable handling? Aftermarket support?

Not sure about VWs... havent really looked at the older models, are you thinking a vr6 or GLI? or is that way out of my current price range?

That BB6 prelude is something I used to dream about in highschool... not sure why I havent really been considering it. How do you guys think it would compare to a civic of similar era on the track?

I have seen a few g35s for sale lately... havent seriously considered one yet, I think it's hard to get one that isn't totally beat in my price range.

Thanks again for all the recommendations! Keep them coming!

Ps. If you have seen any cars listed that fit this tall order... feel free to post it here or PM me. Would really appreciate it!

dogs and maybe car seat(s)?
5 door hatch is a must

i have the rsx and as a hatchback it's decent for hauling medium-sized items but would be a royal pain in the ass to use backseats for living things day in day out

add another grand to your budget and msg this ad
https://vancouver.craigslist.org/bnc...754060466.html

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/van...770721456.html
cheap manual, 4 doors and rwd

Just updated yesterday. Not a fan of the shaved trunk, but otherwise..

https://vancouver.craigslist.org/rds...761218569.html

350z

I think a mk5+ gti is your best bet, but your price range is pretty tight to find what you’re looking for

a family hauler plus track day/autox car for under 6k? What are you smoking?

G35 are nice but they handle like a boat. I would say look into the CSX. If you can find a type S even better. 8000 rpm redline, light and nimble, 4 doors, fully loaded, decent trunk space. Overall maintenance free cuz its a Honda.

I always suggest the 04+ Mazda 3 GT (hatchback).

04-05 Manual TSX?

Up your budget and import one of these Legacy's or find a cheaper one. Fun, Roomy, Looks amazing for its age and will last.

I have heard good and bad things about this dealership. The mileage on the cars seem to be very very low. (Do some research on the dealer)

https://www.velocitycars.ca/vehicle/...gacy/14207?s=1

https://www.velocitycars.ca/Motorcen...3316a344-1.jpg

i would say a mk4 jetta 1.8T... you can squeeze some extra power out of the turbo

one other option would be a g35, rwd manual 4door, it checks all your boxes...

mazda 3 gt would be a reliable option as well, a bit extra power over the regular mazda3s and they handle fine

bmw 330i would work as well, its just the maintenance cost is a bit more to keep it running

The XRS has the 2ZZ (same as the Celica GTS) while the base/XR has the 1ZZ (same as Celica GT). You could also look at the Altezza/IS300/IS200 or GS300/400/Aristo, fairly inexpensive and reliable 4 doors that are fun to drive.

@OP, what kind of dog are we talking about here. Pomeranian or bulmastiff